Space & Astronomy/Space and Astronomy (October 1993).iso/mac/TEXT/SPACEDIG/V13_4/V13_435.TXT

Internet Message Format | 1991-06-28 | 19KB

Return-path: <[e-mail]>
X-Andrew-Authenticated-as: 7997;andrew.cmu.edu;Ted Anderson
Received: from hogtown.andrew.cmu.edu via trymail for +dist+/afs/andrew.cmu.edu/usr11/tm2b/space/[e-mail] (->+dist+/afs/andrew.cmu.edu/usr11/tm2b/space/space.dl) (->ota+space.digests)
          ID </afs/andrew.cmu.edu/usr1/ota/Mailbox/Ac4GUmy00WBwEbzE5y>;
          Sun, 21 Apr 91 01:50:43 -0400 (EDT)
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Precedence: junk
Reply-To: [e-mail]
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Date: Sun, 21 Apr 91 01:50:37 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: SPACE Digest V13 #435

SPACE Digest                                     Volume 13 : Issue 435

Today's Topics:
               * SpaceNews  22-Apr-91 *
            Commercial Space News (5 of 6)
          Re: Commercial Space News (1 of 6)
            Commercial Space News (1 of 6)
              Re: Galileo status reports
               Re: Saturn V blueprints

Administrivia:

    Submissions to the SPACE Digest/sci.space should be mailed to
  [e-mail].  Other mail, esp. [un]subscription requests,
  should be sent to [e-mail], or, if urgent, to
             [e-mail]

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 20 Apr 91 01:13:23 GMT
From: mintaka!think.com!masscomp!ocpt!tsdiag!ka2qhd![e-mail]  (John Magliacane)
Subject: * SpaceNews  22-Apr-91 *


SB NEWS @ AMSAT < KD2BD $SPC0422
* SpaceNews  22-Apr-91 *

Bulletin ID: $SPC0422


                              =========
                              SpaceNews
                              =========

                         MONDAY APRIL 22, 1991


SpaceNews originates at KD2BD in Wall Township, New Jersey, USA.  It
is published every week and is made available for unlimited distribution.


* STS-39 INFO *
===============
This information comes from Gerry Creager:

The following elements are ones I made a couple of days ago to match the
latest cycle on orbit flight design profile for STS-39, rotated to the
current launch date of April 23 at 11:05 UTC.  Because of the several
maneuvers, it took 4 sets to match it within about 3 seconds.  Set #1
will be in error by about 17 minutes by the end of the flight.  If it
launches on time, we will have good visible passes on Friday morning,
Apr 26, 10:47z-10:55z, and Saturday morning, Apr 27, 10:41z-10:50z.
The IBSS should be deployed on the Friday pass (Orbit 49), so both it
and the orbiter should be visible.  Landing is at MET 8/07:25.

Element Set #1 -- For Orbits 2 through 28

STS-39
1 00039U          91113.52156250  .00280000  00000-0  44539-3 0    15
2 00039  57.0030 277.1989 0009407 267.9459  92.1059 16.05426977    29

Element Set #2 -- For Orbits 29 through 58

STS-39
1 00039U          91115.20216435  .00280000  00000-0  44539-3 0    25
2 00039  57.0063 269.2651 0009337 272.1084  87.9165 16.06583130   292

Element Set #3 -- For Orbits 59 through 89

STS-39
1 00039U          91117.06825231  .00280000  00000-0  44539-3 0    32
2 00039  57.0050 260.4383 0009142 278.8905  81.1608 16.04230096   591

Element set #4 -- For Orbits 90 through 133

STS-39
1 00039U          91118.99928241  .00280000  00000-0  44539-3 0    41
2 00039  57.0040 251.3354 0009000 285.0101  75.0116 16.03012532   901


* HELPFUL HINTS *
=================
Putting Mission Elapsed Time On Your Wrist Watch

When NASA and AMSAT release information on upcoming Space Shuttle
schedules, time is usually given in UTC based on the expected
opening of the launch window.  Local US time zones are also given
in a margin.  However, mission events are also officially given in
MET, or Mission Elapsed Time.  Physics determines that many
mission elements must happen so many minutes or hours after
launch, since that puts them over certain parts of the world, or
the Shuttle will be in range of certain ground experimenters, or
other factors.

Launch delays are a way of life at NASA, and the upcoming shuttle
launch may be no exception.  Mission Elapsed Time is referred to
constantly throughout a space mission.  Whether you work in the
space program, try to work the SAREX, or just listen to the NASA
feed on the local Ham Radio repeater (146.940 MHz in the Cape
Canaveral area if you're there for the launch), cable TV, or RCA
Satcom F-3 Transponder 13 (where the cable company gets it for
free), you might want access to MET yourself.

MET is based on the time of lift-off at "zero" in the launch
countdown, when the solid rocket boosters are lit, and the
spacecraft leaves the pad at Launch Complex 39.  Simply start the
stopwatch feature of your electronic watch at zero in the count,
and you will have MET on your watch!  The kind of watch best
suited will go until 23 hours, 59 minutes, 59 seconds, and then
click back to zero and keep on going.  Simply check the cheap
watches in the blister packs at your local drug store for a watch
with either a stopwatch, or "24 hour chronometer" feature.  If
they haven't got one for less than ten bucks, check a different
drug store.

If you should miss the launch, simply find out what time the
launch happened from the newspaper, and start it 24 hours later.
Set an alarm on the watch to go off a minute before the time that
is 24 hours from launch.  Shuttle missions are usually up a few
days, and you'd be surprised how handy MET is when keeping track
of the spacecraft.  Of course, remember that you'll have to keep
a tally of the number of elapsed days of the mission yourself.

(C) Copyright 1990 Robert Osband.  Permission granted to SpaceNews,
and any club to reprint this article if a copy of the newsletter
is sent to PO Box 23214, Tampa FL, USA 33612.  All others, contact
author.

[Story via Ozzie, N4SCY @ K0ZXF.FL.USA.NOAM]


* TNX RPTS! *
=============
Thanks to all those who sent e-mail reports to SpaceNews, including:

FE1LOZ, N2GGQ, DC4ZI, KA4PNT, N4RAK, N4SCY, WD4LYV, ZR5AAD, KB7ADO, N8JKQ


* FEEDBACK WELCOMED *
=====================
Feedback regarding SpaceNews may be directed to the editor using any one
of the following paths:

UUCP     : ...!rutgers.edu!ka2qhd!kd2bd
PACKET   : KD2BD @ NN2Z.NJ.USA.NOAM
INTERNET : [e-mail] -OR- [e-mail]

MAIL     : John A. Magliacane, KD2BD
           Department of Electronics Technology
           Advanced Technology Center
           Brookdale Community College
           Lincroft, New Jersey  07738
           U.S.A.


/EX
--
John A. Magliacane                 FAX  : [phone]
Electronics Technology Department  AMPR : KD2BD @ NN2Z.NJ.USA.NA
Brookdale Community College        UUCP : ...!rutgers!ka2qhd!kd2bd
Lincroft, NJ  07738  USA           VOICE: [phone] ext 607

------------------------------

Date: 20 Apr 91 06:08:41 GMT
From: agate!bionet!uwm.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!zardoz.cpd.com!dhw68k!ofa123![e-mail]  (Wales Larrison)
Subject: Commercial Space News (5 of 6)

OSC HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH SOVIETS FOR BRAZILIAN EARTH RESOURCES SAT
  OSC is competing head on with the Soviet launch program to capture
a contract for the launch of Brazil's SCD Earth Resources satellite.
SCD is designed to study the rain forests and ground cover from a
near-equatorial low orbit, and is planned for launch by mid-1992.
  In competition with OSC's Pegasus is the Soviet "Cosmos" C-1
launch system, based upon their SL-8 launch vehicle.  Variants of
this system have been deployed by the Soviets as IRBMs.  The Soviets
reportedly have a ready stockpile of the Cosmos launch systems,
since they have been launching them at the rate of 12-15 per year to
support the InterCosmos AUOS science satellites, and are offering to
sell a S-8 based Cosmos launch vehicle for $6-8 M.

  What makes this competition so interesting is not the complexity
of the launch, but the use of the Pegasus from a foreign country.
Under COCOM and the munitions control act, the U.S. has prohibited
U.S. launch technology from being shipped to foreign countries,
since there is direct application into ballistic missiles or it may
be re-exported to other countries for other missile programs.
  OSC would like to book their first international "commercial"
sale, but to avoid technology transfer issues, they are proposing to
launch it from Florida, or for additional cost, fly the B-52/Pegasus
launch system down to Brazil for a short time.
   The two systems have roughly the same costs, but the Brazilian
government may find it attractive if the Soviets sell a C-1 booster
plus advice on launching techniques, since this experience might be
used in the Brazilian space launch and missile program.  To provide
more of a competitive edge for OSC, the U.S. government is trying to
sweeten the pot by cost-sharing in the launch.  Since the Brazilian
satellite is only 185 Kg there's about another 40-50 Kg available in
the Pegasus and NASA is looking for a small payload or instrument to
co-launch with the Brazilian sat, cutting the cost to Brazil.
However, this deal will be decided by the Brazilian government in
the next couple of weeks, and a NASA-sponsored payload has be
virtually complete, funded from the FY 1991 and FY 1992 federal
budgets.  They are having a hard time finding such a small payload -
even canvassing the U.S. commercial smallsat industry.

  [Commentary:  Transfer of launch technology is a very sensitive
topic, and Brazil is particularly a sensitive area, since Brazil
sold long range missiles and rocket technology to Iraqi, among other
countries.  Brazil is fairly aggressive in pursuing such technology
- one of the key negotiating points during the launch competition
for Brazilsat (GEO Comsats) was Arianespace offering to sell their
HM-60 large rocket engine technology to Brazil, while McDonnell-
Douglas was prohibited from offering the same. (This provoked very
high level discussions between the U.S. and France...)
   Based upon current information, I rate this competition as too
close to call.  I think the key determinant will be the financing
arrangements.  Brazil has inflation in the 100's of percent per
year, their currency devalues daily, and their government is facing
a huge (even compared to the US) deficit.  The USSR wants hard
currency, which Brazil may not want to give up.  If OSC can offer a
good financing package, particularly with offsets to allow use of
Brazilian goods or service in lieu of hard cash, then this is a good
competitive advantage.  A similar package might be offered by the
Soviets, but they have not had a track record of offering or
accepting such deals in the past.]



--
Wales Larrison
Internet: [e-mail]
Compuserve: >internet:[e-mail]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: 20 Apr 91 23:39:12 GMT
From: swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!utzoo![e-mail]  (Henry Spencer)
Subject: Re: Commercial Space News (1 of 6)

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Wales Larrison) writes:
>   The Hercules sale of stock is probably from a near term need to
>pump up the company books to keep the stock value high...
>... After the failure of the Hercules-built Titan
>-IV SRM at Edwards in early April, their stock plummeted...

They're also reported to have had difficulties in recent times with costs
on fixed-price contracts for things like the Delta strap-ons.  Like a lot
of companies that spent a long time working mostly for the government,
they are now having trouble estimating costs accurately enough to make
money on fixed-price commercial contracts.
--
And the bean-counter replied,           | Henry Spencer @ U of Toronto Zoology
"beans are more important".             |  [e-mail]  utzoo!henry

------------------------------

Date: 20 Apr 91 06:03:24 GMT
From: agate!bionet!uwm.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!zardoz.cpd.com!dhw68k!ofa123![e-mail]  (Wales Larrison)
Subject: Commercial Space News (1 of 6)

This is the seventh in an irregular series on news from the
commercial space business.  The commentaries are my own thoughts on
these developments.  Posted in 6 messages (My apologies - message
length restrictions at my up-load point).

Contents -
 1- OSC TO SELL MORE STOCK/HERCULES DIVESTS OF OSC INVESTMENT
 2- SHENANIGANS OVER DELTA II SRM CONTRACT
 3- LOCKHEED WINS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR IRIDIUM SATELLITE SYSTEM
 4- MCDONNELL-DOUGLAS POSTS OBJECTION TO DOT LAUNCH LICENSE FEES
 5- OSC HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH SOVIETS FOR BRAZILIAN EARTH RESOURCES SAT
 6- NOTES TO READERS (THANKS FOR COMMENTS!)

Articles
----------------------------------------------------------------
OSC TO SELL MORE STOCK/HERCULES DIVESTS ITS OSC INVESTMENT
   OSC has announced that it will probably sell another 3.2 M shares
of stock during the second quarter of 1991.  This will include about
1.6 M shares now owned by Hercules Inc.  This stock offering would
produce cash to be used for "general corporate purposes".
   Hercules has stated to the financial community they are planning
to sell all of the OSC stock they hold during this offering- which
amounts to about 20% of the total OSC stock. Since Hercules paid
slightly more than $20/share for its shares and it expecting to get
about $20/share, Hercules expects to break even on this investment,
or see a small profit from sale.

   [Commentary: The OSC stock sale is not really news, expect that
OSC is looking to get more capital for their projects.  Since they
have a lot going on, their offering of stock is a standard way to
get cash in without having to tap their corporate credit lines.
This only increases amount of OSC stock by about 20% or less.
   The Hercules sale of stock is probably from a near term need to
pump up the company books to keep the stock value high.  Hercules
has stated they intend to sell investments in other companies and
joint ventures to focus their efforts on its core chemical and
aerospace businesses. After the failure of the Hercules-built Titan
-IV SRM at Edwards in early April, their stock plummeted over
$5/share.  The failure means Hercules might have to increase program
funding reserves set aside for the Titan IV SRM program to cover
possible redesign and remanufacturing, and may incur higher costs
and lower profits in the future if the design has to be reworked.
However, whether or not they have to do this won't be known until
mid-May when the accident investigation team completes their
analysis, and the fix for the problem is cycled into the next full
estimate of Titan completion costs.  This comes on top of past
failures and problems, such that in 1989, Hercules wrote off more
than $200M as a result of cost overruns and delays tied to
development of the Titan IV booster.
  But, in anticipation of this Standard and Poor's Corp (one of they
major companies which rate corporate investments), placed Hercules's
long-term debt of about $600 M on the CreditWatch list, which will
somewhat restrict Hercules from easily getting more financing in the
financial markets.
  I should also note that Hercules also makes rocket motors for the
Trident II, Delta II, Peacekeeper and the small ICBM, and just got a
$100 million order for more Delta motors, so they have lots of
business in similar fields.]



--
Wales Larrison
Internet: [e-mail]
Compuserve: >internet:[e-mail]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: 20 Apr 91 23:40:33 GMT
From: stanford.edu!ptolemy!ptolemy.arc.nasa.gov![e-mail]  (Jay Glass)
Subject: Re: Galileo status reports


This is all second or third-hand stuff, but I have heard that the high
gain antenna has failed to (completely?) deploy. As of mid-week, there
were a couple of theories about how the antenna may be stuck and what, if
anything, may be done to release it. I don't know the specifics, and those
who do are generally busy.

*If* these attempts are unsuccessful, it follows that bandwidth will be
*very* limited from Jupiter using only the low-gain antenna (about 10 bps
at that range to Earth).  This wouldn't prevent data recording and relay
from the probe, but would seriously affect imaging, etc. from the Galileo
orbiter.  In a worst-case scenario, I have heard suggestions floated of
launching a communications relay in a direct trajectory to Jupiter in
order to "catch up"  with Galileo and make mission objectives reachable
using the low-gain antenna.

------------------------------

Date: 21 Apr 91 01:34:56 GMT
From: iggy.GW.Vitalink.COM!widener!hela![e-mail]  (Allen W. Sherzer)
Subject: Re: Saturn V blueprints

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Dani Eder) writes:

>By the time you redesign to accommodate available hardware and re-modify
>the launch pads, you may as well have started from scratch with a clean
>sheet design.  [Instead of a new Saturn V].

About a month ago NASA gave a pitch on rebuilding the Saturn V. Their
conclusion was that is would cost about $12 billion over eight years. Each
vehicle would cost about $570M. Current estimates for ALS (which won't
lift as much) are about 20% higher although operational costs for ALS are
about half as much ($1,000/lb vs $2280/lb).

However, there is reason to think these numbers are over inflated. The
presentation was biased against Saturn alternatives favoring ALS type
systems. For example, NASA's estimate of the cost of F-1 engines is about
twice what Rocketdyne says it will take. If these numbers are indeed off
by two then Saturn V's can be built for 40% the development cost of ALS,
in a third less time, and cost about the same to operate. If we did a
commercial procurement prices would drop far more.

This may well turn out to be the best approach. Going for something we
know we can build will reduce risk and keep the effort focused. We will
be far less likely to push every technological envelope which is what
killed the Shuttle SSME's.

When we have a baseline system, we can start a program of continuous
improvement. This will cut part counts, reduce manufacturing time and
result in greater savings.

   Allen


--
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Allen W. Sherzer | If you love something, let it go. If it doesn't come back |
|   [e-mail]   | to you, hunt it down and kill it.                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+

------------------------------

End of SPACE Digest V13 #435
*******************